3M Company (3M), incorporated in 1929, is a diversified technology company with a presence in the industrial and transportation; health care; consumer and office; safety, security and protection services; display and graphics, and electro and communications businesses. 3M manages its operations in six business segments: Industrial and Transportation; Health Care; Consumer and Office; Safety, Security and Protection Services; Display and Graphics, and Electro and Communications. 3M products are sold through a number of distribution channels, including directly to users and through wholesalers, retailers, jobbers, distributors and dealers in a range of trades in a number of countries worldwide. In April 2012, it acquired CodeRyte Inc. In September 2012, it acquired the business of Federal Signal Technologies Group (FSTech) from Federal Signal Corporation.

In February 2011, 3M (Industrial and Transportation Business) announced that it completed its acquisition of Alpha Beta Enterprise Co. Ltd., a manufacturer of box sealing tape and masking tape. In February 2011, 3M (Consumer and Office Business) acquired Hybrivet Systems Inc., a provider of instant-read products to detect lead and other contaminants and toxins. In April 2011, 3M (Electro and Communications Business) acquired AP&T Co. Ltd. In April 2011, 3M (Display and Graphics Business) acquired Original Wraps Inc., a company specializing in the creative business development, technology and design of personalization platforms for vehicles and vehicle accessories. In July 2011, 3M (Industrial and Transportation Business) acquired Advanced Chemistry & Technology Inc., a manufacturer of polysulfide sealants for aerospace applications. In October 2011, 3M (Consumer and Office Business) acquired the do-it-yourself and professional business of GPI Group. GPI is a manufacturer and marketer of home improvement products such as tapes, hooks, insulation, and floor protection products and accessories. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company acquired Winterthur Technologie AG.

Industrial and Transportation Business

The Industrial and Transportation segment serves a range of markets, such as automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and automotive aftermarket (auto body shops and retail), renewable energy, electronics, paper and packaging, food and beverage, and appliance. Industrial and Transportation products include tapes, a variety of coated and non-woven abrasives, adhesives, specialty materials, filtration products, energy control products, closure systems for personal hygiene products, acoustic systems products, and components and products that are used in the manufacture, repair and maintenance of automotive, marine, aircraft and specialty vehicles. Its industrial products include vinyl, polyester, foil and specialty industrial tapes and adhesives; Scotch Masking Tape, Scotch Filament Tape and Scotch Packaging Tape; packaging equipment; 3M VHB Bonding Tapes; conductive, low surface energy, hot melt, spray and structural adhesives; reclosable fasteners; label materials for durable goods; and coated, nonwoven and microstructured surface finishing and grinding abrasives for the industrial market.

3M Purification Inc. (previously referred to as CUNO Incorporated), provides a line of filtration products for the separation, clarification and purification of fluids and gases. Other industrial products include fluoroelastomers for seals, tubes and gaskets in engines; and engineering fluids. In addition, this segment provides 3M Scotchtint Window Film for buildings; 3M Ultra Safety and Security Window Film for property and personal protection during destructive weather conditions; closure systems for personal hygiene products, and acoustic systems products. Its transportation products include insulation components, including components for catalytic converters; functional and decorative graphics; abrasion-resistant films; masking tapes; fasteners and tapes for attaching nameplates, trim, moldings, interior panels and carpeting; coated, nonwoven and microstructured finishing and grinding abrasives; structural adhesives, and other specialty materials. In addition, 3M provides paint finishing and detailing products, including a system of cleaners, dressings, polishes, waxes and other products.

Health Care Business

The Health Care segment serves markets that include medical clinics and hospitals, pharmaceuticals, dental and orthodontic practitioners, and health information systems. Products and services provided to these and other markets include medical and surgical supplies, skin health and infection prevention products, inhalation and transdermal drug delivery systems, dental and orthodontic products (oral care), health information systems, and food safety products. In the medical and surgical areas, 3M is a supplier of medical tapes, dressings, wound closure products, orthopedic casting materials, electrodes and stethoscopes. In infection prevention, 3M markets a range of surgical drapes, masks and preps, as well as sterilization assurance equipment. Other products include drug delivery systems, such as metered-dose inhalers, transdermal skin patches and related components. Dental and orthodontic products include restoratives, adhesives, finishing and polishing products, crowns, impression materials, preventive sealants, professional tooth whiteners, prophylaxis and orthodontic appliances. In health information systems, 3M develops and markets computer software for hospital coding and data classification, and provides related consulting services. 3M provides food safety products for food processors to test the microbiological quality of food.

Consumer and Office Business

The Consumer and Office segment serves markets that include consumer retail, office retail, home improvement, building maintenance and other markets. Products in this segment include office supply products, stationery products, construction and home improvement products (do-it-yourself), home care products, protective material products, certain consumer retail personal safety products, and consumer health care products. Consumer and office products include Scotch brand products, such as Scotch Magic Tape, Scotch Glue Stick and Scotch Cushioned Mailer; Post-it Products, such as Post-it Flags, Post-it Note Pads, Post-it Labeling & Cover-up Tape, and Post-it Pop-up Notes and Dispensers; construction and home improvement products, including surface-preparation and wood-finishing materials, Command Adhesive Products and Filtrete Filters for furnaces and air conditioners; home care products, including Scotch-Brite Scour Pads, Scotch-Brite Scrub Sponges, Scotch-Brite Microfiber Cloth products, O-Cel-O Sponges and Scotchgard Fabric Protectors; protective material products; certain maintenance-free respirators; certain consumer retail personal safety products, including safety glasses and hearing protectors; and Nexcare Adhesive Bandages.

Safety, Security and Protection Services Business

The Safety, Security and Protection Services segment serves a range of markets for the safety, security and productivity of workers, facilities and systems. The product offerings include personal protection products, cleaning and protection products for commercial establishments, safety and security products (including border and civil security solutions), roofing granules for asphalt shingles, corrosion protection products used in the oil and gas pipeline markets, and track and trace solutions. Cogent Inc. and Attenti Holdings S.A. Cogent Inc. is a provider of finger, palm, face and iris biometric systems for governments, law enforcement agencies, and commercial enterprises. Attenti Holdings S.A. is a supplier of remote people-monitoring technologies used for offender-monitoring applications and to assist eldercare facilities in monitoring the safety of patients.

This segment’s products include personal protection products, such as certain reusable respirators, personal protective equipment, head and face protection, body protection, hearing protection and protective eyewear. In addition, this segment provides electronic surveillance products, films that protect against counterfeiting, and reflective materials that are used on apparel, footwear and accessories, enhancing visibility in low-light situations. 3M’s Track and Trace Solutions business utilizes radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to provide an array of solutions. Other products include spill-control sorbents; 3M Thinsulate Insulation and 3M Thinsulate Lite Loft Insulation; nonwoven abrasive materials for floor maintenance and commercial cleaning; floor matting; natural and color-coated mineral granules for asphalt shingles, and corrosion protection products.

Display and Graphics Business

The Display and Graphics segment serves markets that include electronic display, traffic safety and commercial graphics. This segment includes optical film solutions for liquid crystal display (LCD) electronic displays; computer screen filters; reflective sheeting for transportation safety; commercial graphics sheeting and systems; architectural surface and lighting solutions; and mobile interactive solutions, including mobile display technology, visual systems products, and computer privacy filters. The optical film business provides films that serve numerous market segments of the electronic display industry. 3M provides products for five market segments, including products for LCD computer monitors, LCD televisions, hand-held devices, such as cellular phones and tablets, notebook personal computers (PCs) and automotive displays. In traffic safety systems, 3M provides reflective sheetings used on highway signs, vehicle license plates, construction work-zone devices, trucks and other vehicles, and also provides pavement marking systems. The Company's commercial graphics products include films, inks, digital signage systems and related products used to produce graphics for vehicles, signs and interior surfaces. In addition, this business includes desktop and notebook computer screen filters that address needs for light control, privacy viewing and glare reduction.

Electro and Communications Business

The Electro and Communications segment serves the electrical, electronics and communications industries, including electrical utilities; electrical construction, maintenance and repair; original equipment manufacturer (OEM) electrical and electronics; computers and peripherals; consumer electronics; telecommunications central office, outside plant and enterprise; as well as aerospace, military, automotive and medical markets; with products that enable the efficient transmission of electrical power and speed the delivery of information. Products include electronic and interconnect solutions, microinterconnect systems, high-performance fluids, high-temperature and display tapes, telecommunications products, electrical products, and touch screens and touch monitors.

Its electronic and electrical products include packaging and interconnection devices; high-performance fluids used in the manufacture of computer chips, and for cooling electronics and lubricating computer hard disk drives; high-temperature and display tapes; insulating materials, including pressure-sensitive tapes and resins; and related items. 3M Flexible Circuits use electronic packaging and interconnection technology, providing more connections in less space, and are used in ink-jet printer cartridges, cell phones and electronic devices. This segment serves the world’s telecommunications companies with a range of products for fiber-optic and copper-based telecommunications systems for rapid deployment in fixed and wireless networks. The 3M Aluminum Conductor Composite Reinforced (ACCR) electrical power cable, with an aluminum-based metal matrix at its core, increases transmission capacity for existing power lines. The touch systems business includes touch screens and touch monitors.